Portrait Photographers

Portrait photography can be fine-tuned to an art, but it's also the easiest way for a beginner photographer to enter the profession. At the most basic level, it only requires the ability to take good pictures of people, especially of the face. But as any established photographer will tell you, to really put a mark in portrait photography, you need the extra undefined quality that creates a really good image.

A photographic portrait not only captures a person's physical resemblance, but also reflects some of the subject's personality. So while a portrait photographer has to excel in lighting and composition, he must also be able to capture a distinctive facet of the subject's character, something that sets his face apart from the crowd. To do that, a photographer must have excellent human traits. He must be able to establish a connection with his motives and calm them down so that they allow something unique by themselves to flow into the image.

Portrait photography can range from candid photos of family and friends to formal, posed photos of people to newspapers and magazines. While studio portraits are most common, portraits can also be taken outdoors or in an office or home environment that reflects the subject's personality. Studio portraits are preferred because they give a portrait photographer near me full control over the image and lighting. A serious portrait photographer will make it a point to learn all there is to know about lighting and use his skills effectively.

The good portrait photographer must have tremendous patience. He can't just look through the lens and hope to get a good picture. His subjects can range from uncomfortable children to tired older people, and he must be able to judge which aspect of the subject really says something about him. He may need to spend considerable time just talking to the subject and watching his reactions. A fabulous shot can result in five minutes or take a few hours to show up. The good photographer knows it's not just about making faces!